Vehicle door handle assembly

Abstract

A vehicle door handle assembly includes a mounting bracket and a handle. The mounting bracket is configured and dimensioned to be mounted within a vehicle door. The handle is pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket to pivot about a pivot axis between a latching position and a latch release position. The handle is basically an elongated member that includes a pivot portion, a grip portion and a counterbalancing portion. The grip portion extends perpendicularly relative to the pivot axis from a first side of the pivot portion. The counterbalancing portion extends perpendicularly relative to the pivot axis from a second side of the pivot portion. The grip portion and the counterbalancing portion are configured and dimensioned such that a center of gravity of the handle is located proximate the pivot axis.

1. A vehicle door handle assembly installed to an outside door panel having a first side having an outer surface and a second side having an inner surface, with a first handle receiving aperture extending between the inner and outer surfaces at a first location and a second handle receiving aperture extending between the inner and outer surfaces at a second location that is longitudinally spaced from the first handle receiving aperture, the vehicle door handle assembly comprising:
 a mounting bracket mounted to the outside door panel; and 
 a handle pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket to pivot about a pivot axis between a latching position and a latch release position, the handle being an elongated member with a grip portion disposed on the first side of the panel, a counterbalancing portion disposed on the second side of the panel, and a pivot portion connecting the grip portion and the counterbalancing portion together, the grip portion including a first end with a latch projection extending through the first handle receiving aperture and a second end connected to the pivot portion, which extends through the second handle receiving aperture, the pivot axis being located at a first lateral side of the second handle receiving aperture and the first handle receiving aperture being located at a second lateral side of the second handle receiving aperture opposite the first lateral side when viewed perpendicularly to the outer surface of the outside door panel, the grip portion and the counterbalancing portion being configured and dimensioned such that a center of gravity of the handle is located proximate the pivot axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle door handle assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein
 the grip portion, the pivot portion and at least part of the counterbalancing portion are formed as a one-piece, unitary member. 
 
     
     
       3. The vehicle door handle assembly as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein
 the counterbalancing portion has a distal end that includes a counterweight fixedly coupled thereto. 
 
     
     
       4. The vehicle door handle assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the counterweight is constructed of a metallic material and the handle is constructed of a non-metallic material. 
 
     
     
       5. The vehicle door handle assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein
 the mounting bracket includes a bracket extension that is configured and arranged to project perpendicularly relative to the pivot axis such that the counterbalancing portion is recessed from an outwardly facing edge of the bracket extension in a direction of pivotal movement of the handle from the latching position to the latching release position. 
 
     
     
       6. The vehicle door handle assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein
 the bracket extension includes two generally parallel projections and the counterbalancing portion of the handle at least partially extends between the parallel projections with the handle in the latching position. 
 
     
     
       7. The vehicle door handle assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein
 the two generally parallel projections of the bracket extension of the handle bracket include a tapered contour extending generally horizontally toward their distal ends. 
 
     
     
       8. The vehicle door assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein
 the bracket extension is arranged and configured such that in response to a side impact against the outside door panel the bracket extension limits movement of the counterbalancing portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The vehicle door assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein
 the pivot portion has an arcuate shape extending from the first end to the second end providing an offset between the grip portion and the counterbalancing portion. 
 
     
     
       10. A vehicle door handle assembly configured for installation to a vehicle door, the vehicle door handle assembly comprising:
 a mounting bracket configured and dimensioned to be mounted within a vehicle door, the mounting bracket having a support portion and a bracket extension, the support portion of the mounting bracket including a first end with a latching mechanism and a second end with the bracket extension extending therefrom, the support portion further including a vehicle exterior facing side and a vehicle interior facing side that extend between the first and second ends of the support portion; and 
 a handle pivotally coupled to the second end of the support portion of the mounting bracket to pivot about a pivot axis between a latching position and a latch release position, the handle being an elongated member having a grip portion, a pivot portion and a counterbalancing portion located at the bracket extension of the mounting bracket, with the pivot portion extending between the grip portion and the counterbalancing portion, the pivot axis extending through the pivot portion adjacent to the counterbalancing portion, with the counterbalancing portion extending from the pivot axis in a direction opposite from the grip portion, the pivot portion being disposed entirely between the pivot axis and the first end of the support portion of the mounting bracket and spaced apart from the bracket extension of the mounting bracket as viewed perpendicular to the exterior facing side of the support portion, the bracket extension being configured and arranged to project perpendicularly relative to the pivot axis such that the counterbalancing portion is recessed from an outwardly facing edge of the bracket extension in a direction of pivotal movement of the handle from the latching position to the latching release position, the grip portion and the counterbalancing portion being configured and dimensioned such that a center of gravity of the handle is located proximate the pivot axis. 
 
     
     
       11. The vehicle door handle assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein
 the bracket extension includes two generally parallel projections and the counterbalancing portion of the handle at least partially extends between the parallel projections with the handle in the latching position. 
 
     
     
       12. The vehicle door handle assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein
 the grip portion and at least part of the counterbalancing portion are formed as a one-piece, unitary member. 
 
     
     
       13. The vehicle door assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein
 the pivot portion has an arcuate shape extending from the first end to the second end providing an offset between the grip portion and the counterbalancing portion. 
 
     
     
       14. The vehicle door assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein
 the grip portion, the pivot portion and at least part of the counterbalancing portion are formed as a one-piece, unitary member.